The 6 Best New Lipsticks to Try on National Lipstick Day

The crème de la crème of the latest pout perfectors image: yakobchukolena

National Lipstick Day—July 29—is upon us. Yes, there’s such a day. And why shouldn’t there be? It’s the first makeup many experiment with as little girls and the last most would leave the house without.

It’s even got a colorful history. The British Parliament banned it in 1770, likening it to a tool of witchcraft that tricked men into marriage. In 1915, a bill was introduced in Kansas that would have made it a misdemeanor for a woman under 44 (!) to use it as it would create a “false impression.” Elizabeth Taylor, rumored to have forbidden any other women working on her film sets to wear the stuff, once said, “Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.” Sounds like good advice.

In that spirit, I’ve gathered the crème de la crème of the latest pout perfectors. Flaunt your favorite by sharing a pic with @longislandpulse on Instagram using #lipulse and #nationallipstickday.

According to a survey through the YouCam Makeup app, red shades are the most popular in the month of July. A clean, matte red, such as M∙A∙C Cosmetics Bangin’ Brilliant Lipstick in Red Rock, just feels like summer. $33; maccosmetics.com

The YouCam poll also found that women on the West Coast buy twice as many nude shades as we do here on the East. Next time you’re channeling Jennifer Aniston, look to Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude No 6. The mauve-y hue has a drop more color than most nudes. Vitamin E soothes and softens. $32; Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, hourglasscosmetics.com

Red may be the hot weather favorite, but “rosy pink” is on the rise. Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stain in Sweet Suite provides a pop of color in a sheer, long-lasting wash of pink perfection. $24; Neiman Marcus, smithandcult.com

This rich wine shade is really beautiful, especially on darker skin tones. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Disturbed comes in a “Comfort Matte” formula (read: no shine, but also no drag). The buttery consistency of this lip-conditioning cocktail is courtesy of the aloe vera, jojoba, and avocado. $17; Sephora, urbandecay.com

Have your lips taken a beating from too many days at the shore? In Laura Geller’s Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick, apricot butter and sunflower oil join forces to pamper the most wind-worn kisser. True to the brand’s roots, all shades are named after iconic locations in New York City. Fall for Lexington Ave. Coral, a sunny shade that flatters any skin tone. $21; Ulta, laurageller.com

Much more than just a ravishing rouge, Oribe Lip Lust Crème Lipstick in The Red is laced with antioxidants (hello, white lily) and myrrh extract to combat the look of wear and tear on your lips—aka, aging. $42; Neiman Marcus, oribe.com

Christina Vercelletto is a lifelong south-shore Long Islander. She currently resides in Babylon with her husband, three children, and a morbidly obese calico. A media veteran, Christina has held editorial positions at Babytalk, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, Woman's Day, and Davler Media. Her work has appeared in numerous national publications, including Redbook, Rachael Ray, Good Housekeeping, FamilyFun, and The Huffington Post. She's been a frequent guest on Today, The View, and Good Morning America.